Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations in Colorado oppose transgender exclusion from ENDA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: [Monday, October 1, 2007]

Contact: Jessica Bowers
Communications Director
press@stonewalldems.org

Denver, CO – The following statement was released by nine Colorado-based organizations working to advance equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The statement is in response to recent news stories indicating a shift away from the inclusion of transgender protections in the national Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA):

Our organizations share the belief that transgender protections must be included in the federal ENDA currently being debated in committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

These necessary protections do not only impact those who identify as transgender. Too often, individuals face discrimination because they do not fit gender "norms". These people, straight and gay, deserve protections in the workplace.

We call on all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people as well as our friends and family to contact their congressional representatives and urge their support for an ENDA that is inclusive of transgender protections.

Please join us in standing with our trans brothers and sisters.

Ryan Acker, Executive Director, Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center;
Kirsten Spielmann, Interim Executive Director, Boulder Pride;
Jeffrey Shaw, Chair, Colorado Stonewall Democrats;
Cathryn L. Hazouri, Executive Director, ACLU of Colorado;
Kate Bowman, Chair, Board of Directors, Gender Identity Center of Colorado;
Jen Lowe, President, Board of Directors, Lambda Community Center;
Karen Bachman, Chair, Colorado Stonewall Democrats Transgender Caucus;
Equal Rights Colorado;
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado;

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Colorado Stonewall Democrats engage and educate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and the Democratic Party as advocates for equality through the political process.

www.stonewalldems.org

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